PART TWENTY TWO

Michael lay facing away from the hidden chamber, his emotions in turmoil.

He didn't know exactly what was going on behind the heavy rock that separated where he lay from the interior chamber, but he'd had a pretty good idea.

What was Max thinking? This girl was of a race that hated what they were, a race that would kill or torture them without a second thought. For a long time he hated that any part of his genetic makeup was human. He attributed every feeling of rage, anger or hate to that part of him, because that was the only emotion a human had ever displayed toward him.

Maria was afraid of him, of what he was. He'd heard her talking to Alex. He didn't allow himself to think about the feelings of hurt he'd experienced once more in hearing her words. They didn't know what it felt like to know that you were trapped in a world to which you could never belong.

Yet, she'd tried to be kind to him, despite her fear, and he'd angrily retorted. It seemed like all they'd done was fight with each other over the past few days. He didn't know why, but she always seemed to get under his skin.

She was human, he reminded himself. But then so were Liz and Alex. Why didn't they irritate him like Maria did?

She was infuriating, overly dramatic, and a general pain in the butt. So why did he have to stop himself from staring at her whenever she was around?

It was almost as if she enjoyed pushing his buttons, and that angered him even more. He wished she'd just mind her own business and keep out of his way. All he wanted was to go home. It was all he'd ever wished for. Now it was going to happen, if they lived through the confrontation with Pierce.

Finally, he would feel like he belonged somewhere. But a little fear played at the back of his head. What if he didn't fit in there either? They were not full-blooded Antarians, nor were they full-blooded humans. What if they were treated the same on Antar as they were treated by Pierce?

He tried not to think about it, but it was hard to avoid. Maybe he'd never fit in anywhere.

Perhaps when he thought about it that way, he understood Max and his apparent devotion to Liz. She made him feel part of something, and Michael had to admit that he could see plainly that she cared about him. Perhaps Max had found what Michael had dreamed about his whole life, a place where he fit in, a place where he was loved and accepted. And that place seemed to be in Liz's heart.

Michael sighed and closed his eyes, trying to quell the fear that he would never find home, no matter how many miles he traveled, or what world he lived in. The only people in the universe that cared about him were Isabel and Max. He was resied, telling himself that it would have to be enough.

*%*%*%*%*%

Liz absently ran her fingers back and forth over Max's hand lying over her hip, as she looked at the lifeless forms across the chamber.

Something about them set her nerves on edge. Was it just that they were a reminder of the danger that Max had been in? They would be the answer to Max's safety. She couldn't feel sorry for Pierce, or the men of his unit who could be so cruel, so disparaging of that which they didn't understand. Instead of embracing the wonder of the fact that there was life beyond Earth, they tried to make it bend to their will, their terrible sadistic tendencies, inspiring pain, fear and misery.


Anyone who got in Pierce's way was an acceptable loss, so Liz felt no compunction in feeling the same way about his unit. They knew the risks of what they were involved with.

"Liz?" Max said quietly.

"Hmm?" she asked softly.

"Are you sorry? For what happened between us?" he asked.

A warm smile that he could not see appeared on her face. Being with Max was the most beautiful thing she'd ever experienced, and though it would make it harder to say goodbye to him, knowing what they'd shared, she couldn't regret any of it.

She turned over to face him, her hand caressing his cheek, seeing the uncertainty in his eyes.

"I'll never be sorry for it Max. The way you made me feel....it was something I will never forget," she said, and his eyes turned downward. She could see the worry etched in his face; that what had happened between them might not have been normal, that it might have scared her.

"You're beautiful Max, don't you know that?" she whispered. "Everything about you. Every time you touch me, every kiss, whenever you look at me, I feel as if I'm the most special person in the world. Being what you are only makes you more special to me. I've never done what we did with anyone before, but if what happened between us was a little different, than I guess I'm lucky, because I've never felt anything like what was between us, and it was just....perfect."

Max blushed, unable to look at her. She needed him to know that it was the truth. Her fingers slid under his chin, tilting his head up so that his eyes met hers.

Liz saw the wonder etched in his face as he read the emotions swimming in her eyes.

"I don't want to leave you," he whispered in a broken voice, pulling her close and burying his face in her hair.

"I don't want you to leave either Max," she said, tears filling her eyes.

"I feel like we just found each other, and now we're going to be torn apart. But I understand why you have to go. If you don't go, it may mean the end of the world as we know it now. I don't want you to think that I'm mad because you have to go. I'm not. But my heart hurts," she said softly.

"So does mine," Max said miserably, sighing as his cheek slid against hers.

"Liz, you're the only person who's ever cared about me. I don't remember any family from where I came from, and though Isabel and Michael and I are connected, I don't really know them like I know you. We felt each other's emotions, but it's not the same. You know my heart. You're the only one who knows my heart. But I can't stand the thought that something might happen to you or the people you love because of me being here," he said.

Liz nodded wordlessly knowing that there was nothing either one of them could do to stop what was going to happen.

"But you will be in my heart, no matter where I am, no matter how many miles or worlds or stars might separate us," he said, as his fingers traced her cheek to her neck trailing further to her throat.

"I love you Liz, and I know that's all I can give you right now, but.... " he stopped, his voice brimming with the emotions that were overtaking his body. She felt his fingers grazing her skin and she shivered, feeling delicious warmth in her throat.

"I love you too," she interrupted. She tenderly brushing her lips against his. "And that's all I need."

Liz looked at him, seeing a strange look of recoition on his face as his fingers traced the skin of her throat.

"I did this...." he said, his voice trailing off.

"I didn't know....I mean, I remember it, from the dream," he said distracted.

"Max?" she said, wondering what he was talking about.

"Maybe there is something I can give you," he said, searching her face. "Maybe something a little more real than words."

"What are you talking about?" Liz asked, curious.

"Will you trust me for a minute?" he asked taking her hand, and she nodded.

"Close your eyes for me," he said softly, and she complied without words.

She felt his fingers pass over her throat again.

"I am not sure what this is really, and I don't know what it will mean, but something is telling me that it won't hurt you. Something told me....your heart told me that I should give this to you, and so did mine. It just happened," he said softly.

"I don't understand," she said.

"Shh...." he whispered, and she felt his fingers lightly dance across her neck, causing her to shiver at the contact. She heard the quiet intake of his breath, almost a sigh.

"I've given you something of me," he said, "something that will be with you after I'm gone."

"Max?" she said tentatively.

"Open your eyes," he said, and slowly she did, wondering what he was talking about.

Without another word, he took her hand and helped her up, leading her over to the Granolith. He positioned her in front of it, and stood behind her.

"Look," he whispered.

Liz looked into the reflection of the huge cone of the Granolith and saw the echo of the two of them reflected in it.

She watched as his fingers passed lightly over her throat, and immediately as his skin made contact with hers a flash emanated from her throat, and again she felt that warmth. It disappeared as his fingers left her skin.

"What is it?" she asked, unafraid.

"Watch," he said, and pressed his palm over the spot where a moment ago the glow had appeared.

Liz felt a powerful sense of peace and love fill her body as energy built at her throat, passing through every atom of her being. Her eyes closed without her realizing it.

She felt her chest swell, and her heart fill with the quiet assurance that she alone held Max's heart. His love surrounded her in a comforting embrace, and a quiet sigh passed from her lips as the energy slowly faded, and she opened her eyes.

"Max, what was...."

"It's me," he whispered with a smile, meeting the reflection of her gaze in the shiny glass-like reflection of the Granolith. "I'm not sure what it is, but it's a part of what I am, of who I am. I just feel it. I felt it in the dream we had at the compound. I saw you with it. When we were....together earlier, I gave it to you. I didn't think about it, I just did it," he said.

Liz smiled as she looked at her throat and saw nothing unusual about it.

"Do you want this?" he asked, his hand at her waist, a look of uncertainty on his face. "I can undo it. Don't touch it unless you're sure."

"No I do Max. More than anything," she said.

"Then think of me, and put your hand where I touched you," he whispered.

Liz kept her eyes locked on his mirrored in the Granolith, and she slowly raised her hand and touched her fingers to the very spot she'd felt his. Immediately, she felt the skin raise, and a spiraling symbol appeared on her throat, glowing softly. Suddenly she felt what Max was feeling, not distinct thoughts, but impressions. Awe, love, happiness, desire....and even pride that she had accepted him. As she lifted her fingers, the symbol disappeared.

She couldn't have stopped the smile that answered his even if she had wanted to.

"Did you feel me?" he asked quietly.

"Yes," she answered.

"I felt you too," he said, wrapping his arms around her from behind. "It was nothing very clear...."

"Just impressions," she said, turning toward him.

"Yeah," he said softly.

"Does this mean I will be able to feel you even when you're not here?" she asked, her heart barely daring to hope.

"Maybe," he said. "I think it's connected us, bound us together in some way."

Liz was touched beyond words. He'd said he had nothing to give her, but he'd given her one of the greatest gifts she could dream of.

"Thank you," she said, her lips drawing close to his, "for trusting me with part of who you are."

"No, thank you," he said intensely, cupping her cheek. "Thank you for every minute you've put yourself in danger for knowing me. I promise I will spend every minute after this is all over making sure that you'll never have to go through anything like this again."

"Max, don't you see? I don't care what happens as long as I'm with you. None of it matters now," she said.

"It matters to me. If I had my way Liz, you wouldn't be here right now. If things were different, if I was different then you'd be home right now....safe," he said regretfully.

"Max, if you were different, you wouldn't be the person I fell in love with. The alien side of you is part of who you are, and I wouldn't change that, ever," she said.

He smiled sadly at her, and kissed her forehead.

"Let's not talk about this anymore," he said.

She nodded and pulled him back to the blanket. He took her into his arms and she rested her head on his chest.

"We'll find a way Max," she said softly, as his fingers dragged gently through her soft locks.

"I want to believe that....so much," he said.

Liz sighed, wrapped in the new sensations she felt radiating from Max. mixed among the strong feelings of love, she detected the worry he was feeling.

She had to believe they'd find a way, because the thought of never seeing Max again terrified her.

*%*%*%*%*%*%%*%*%*

Dawn broke over the desert in pale pastel hues as Max and Liz sat on an outcropping watching its appearance.

They'd long given up on sleeping, intending to spend every last moment together.

Without having to say anything, each knew what the other was thinking, and took comfort in their mutual worries.

Liz's head lay on Max's shoulder committing to memory the way if felt to be in his arms.

Life had surely taken some crazy turns in the past weeks, but in the end, she'd found the one person who completed her, who made her truly happy.

And the amazing thing was, it didn't matter that he was from another world. It didn't matter that he was different, because in their hearts they were the same. She could feel it as surely as she knew that her whole world had changed, become somehow bigger, more vibrant, more intense.

And it was all because of the boy who sat looking out over the harsh terrain of the New Mexico desert, wondering where the day would take them, if they were going to be all right, if they would win.

Somehow in that moment, he seemed more present, more alive, more dear to her.
For those few moments, time stood still, and she tried to memorize every nuance, every movement, every touch.

But then the moment was broken as Cal trudged up the path.

"We have an hour before John makes the call," he said as he reached them, and Liz felt Max's arm tighten protectively around her, and suddenly she felt as if the bottom of the world had fallen out on her.

It was too real. It was going to happen. She couldn't deceive herself any longer.

Liz felt Cal studying her, but she couldn't bring herself to look at him. She couldn't help but be a bit resentful of him. If he hadn't found them, then maybe things would have been different, her mind argued. But she knew better. The bounty hunters would have found Max in Roswell, and she didn't want to think about the consequences of what could have happened if they had.

No, she knew that things happened for the best, and as much as she didn't like it, she had to accept it.

"We need to talk about what's going to happen today, all of us," Cal said, and Max nodded tightly.

"Wake the others. We'll be along in a minute," Max said.

Cal looked as if he wanted to argue with Max, but seeing his face, he kept his silence, nodding and turning toward the chamber.

Max pulled Liz closer, and she wrapped her arms around him tightly.

"This is really going to happen isn't it?" she asked dully.

"Yes," he said quietly.

"Max, promise me you'll be careful when Pierce finds you. Promise me that you won't do anything to get yourself hurt," she said desperately.

"I promise," he said, kissing the top of her head. "It will be over soon."

"It will be over, and then you'll be leaving," she said sadly.

"I'm going to do everything in my power to come back to you Liz Parker," he said. "I know that without you, I have nothing."

She tilted her head to look up at him.

"I won't be able to say goodbye when the time comes Max. I just can't. So kiss me, and tell me that when this is all over, you'll be back."

Max slowly lowered his head, capturing her lips in a bittersweet caress.

"I love you Liz, and when this is all over, I'll be back. I'll come back to you," he said meaningfully.

"Then let's get this over with," she said, and together they rose to face whatever dangers the day was going to bring them.

*%*%*%*%*%*%*%*%

Everyone was gathered in the chamber, the nervous tension palpable, almost echoing off the stone walls around them.

"John is going to make the call to the FBI," Cal said. "As soon as he does, we have to leave. The unit will be tipped off that Max and the others are in hiding in a deserted cabin four miles from here in the desert," he said, turning toward Max, Isabel and Michael.

"You are to do nothing when they get there. Lure them in as close a possible before using your powers. They are sure to have at least ten men with them. Conserve your strength, you are going to need it. I have to stay out of site until they are close enough, and then I can help. Once they are taken care of, we bring the bodies back here in the SUV, where I will activate the podlings inside the other chamber. When they have assimilated, they will be sent back to the compound. By then we will be making preparations to leave. John has spoken to his contacts, and the bounty hunters have picked up your trail. It won't take them long to find us, so the sooner we leave, the better," he said.

The three nodded.

"What are we supposed to do?" Alex asked.

"Nothing," Cal said. "You're staying here."

"I'm not staying here," Maria said. "What if something happens to all of you? What are we supposed to do then?"

"If we aren't back by sundown, then leave. Go home. Go back to your lives. Forget we ever existed," Cal said. "The Granolith is safe. Leave here and don't ever come back."

"What?" Alex said, looking at Uncle John.

"What are you going to be doing?" Alex said.

"I'll be here with you," John answered.

"But what about the whole alien alliance thing? Aren't you supposed to be helping them?" he asked.

"We help through intelligence, not action," John answered, looking at Cal. "If the hunters found out about us, it could bring war on our whole planet," he said.

"That bites!" Alex said. "What about getting in on the action?"

"Alex, we aren't equipped like they are," he answered, but Liz detected something in his voice, something she couldn't pinpoint.

"So what? We risked our necks and almost got killed to just sit here and do nothing now?" Maria asked.

"After today this will all be over, and you can all go back to your boring little lives," Michael muttered.

"Excuse me?" Maria retorted. "If we hadn't been there in the desert...."

"If you hadn't been there in the desert, everything would have been a lot simpler," Michael argued.

Liz could see Maria's face turning red.

"Who the hell do you think you are?" she asked angrily, standing up.

"Let it go!" Isabel shouted, and everyone looked at her stunned, hearing her yell.

"Enough!" Cal said. "John, make the call."

Suddenly, everything fell silent.

Liz listened quietly, squeezing Max's hand, feeling his apprehension as they listened to John reveal details and locations to the FBI.

Finally, he hung up.

"It's done," he said.

"We'd better move," Cal said, moving to the entrance of the chamber.

Suddenly, no one knew where to look.

Max stood, taking Liz into his arms one last time, leaving a tender kiss on her lips.

She felt tears springing to her eyes as she felt near panic of what was to come. She pushed it down again.

"Be careful," she whispered.

"Always," he said in a low voice, trying to reassure her with a smile that didn't reach his eyes.

"I love you," he said.

"I love you too," she whispered.

Slowly he moved away, his fingers lingering on hers, sliding to the tips before hesitating and finally letting go.

Neither broke each other's gaze as he moved to stand beside Cal.

Isabel and Michael started across the chamber toward them, and Alex cleared his throat.

"Good luck Michael," Alex said glancing at him, his eyes moving to linger on Isabel.

"Be safe," he said meaningfully.

"Thank you," she said, and sincerely meant it, because she saw the sincerity reflected in his eyes.

"We'll be back soon," she said, her eyes reflecting the apprehension she was feeling at seeing Pierce again.

"I'm....I mean, we're counting on it," Alex amended, his face flushing at his blunder.

She smiled at him and stepped past.

"Break a leg," Maria mumbled to Michael, kicking a stray rock on the floor.

"Whatever," he retorted, walking away with a slight smile on his face. He had no idea why he thought it to be funny, but something about the slight blond girl had gotten to him. Maybe he'd been too hard on her. She was right. They had helped to save them out in the desert that night. Maybe he had to admit that not all humans were bad.

The three stood with Cal, silhouetted against the back-drop of the sun.

"I'll see you soon Liz," Max said, as John moved to put his arm around her.

The three left the chamber, and Cal paused for a moment.

"Cal!" Liz called out to him.

He turned back toward her.

"Take care of them," she said, feeling the tears well in her eyes.

Cal nodded and then was gone.

Liz turned her head into John's chest, feeling the tears burst from her eyes as her breath hitched in a devastated sob.

Maria and Alex moved to comfort her and John stepped away as they both wrapped their arms around their childhood friend.

"Oh God Maria," Liz sobbed. "What if something happens to him?"

"He's going to be back," Maria said, stroking her friend's hair. "He cares too much about you to let anything happen to himself."

"It's going to be ok Liz," Alex said, rubbing Liz's back. "Before you know it, they'll be back."

John's cell phone shrilled, startling all of them. He listened silently for a few seconds and then hung up.

Liz, Maria and Alex looked at him apprehensively.

"The Unit is on the move, and Pierce is with them," he said. "It has begun."